Thanksgiving is not one day, it is a lifestyle. While we splurged on the dessert table and cherished time with family last week, Thanksgiving is not over. Even after we snagged great deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, supported our local community on Small Business Saturday, there is still an important day left — Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is a global day of philanthropy, which follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. For many it kicks off end of the year giving. We can take this time to evaluate our financial standings and give back after our blessings this year. Here is a list of just a few of the great agricultural based charities that could use your support. This is far from an exhaustive list, but we hope that this will help get you started.
California Future Farmers of America Foundation
“Three years ago we started participating in Giving Tuesday with the focus of providing FFA jackets and a tie/scarf to FFA members who otherwise couldn’t afford one of their own,” says Katie Otto, Director of Development for the California FFA Foundation.
Today, California FFA Foundation and Blue Diamond Growers are working hard to make a positive difference, and you can donate at www.CalAgEd.org/GivingTuesday.
California is just one example of state foundations that would appreciate your generous donations. Check your local area to see how you can help those FFA Chapters or donation to the National FFA Organization!
Make your money go further! Consider making a donation to support agriculture education and leadership programs through the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Foundation. The Rural Mutual Insurance Company will be matching all donations of $1 to $10,000 up to a total of $100,000, which will double the impact of your donation!
By choosing to support American Farmland Trust on Giving Tuesday, you are helping make strides toward saving the land that sustains us all. For example, $25 extends networks and support to women landowners across the country. In addition, a $100 donation would support beginning farmers with training and resources.
Farmer Veteran Coalition helps veterans pursue careers in agriculture and is the pioneer of this recent military-to-agriculture movement sweeping the nation. These are people who have chosen to serve our country twice — once by defending it, and now as farmers feeding it.
The Feeding America network of food banks is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Every dollar you give can provide at least 10 meals to children and families in need.
Families Feeding Families are farmers, ranchers, and other members of rural communities across the upper Midwest plains who believe in growing agriculture and creating the sustainability for the number one industry in the region.
In most food banks, milk is one of the most requested yet least donated item. While grocery shopping, you can pick up an extra gallon or two to donate to your local pantry. If you can’t get to the food pantry or prefer to just give money, check out Milk Life. With your donation, Milk Life will deliver fresh milk to people in need in your community.
Thanks to a Giving Tuesday-exclusive $3-for-$1 match offer, your year-end gift will go four times as far to defend our air and climate protections, to protect wildlife, to advance efforts to reduce climate pollution, and to expedite the transition to a clean energy economy. More on EDF can be found here.
Ag in the Classroom – Kansas
Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom is on a mission to provide educational resources about agriculture to Kansas teachers and youth. We strive to bring the story of agriculture to everyone through engaging, hands-on activities for grades K-12. You can help us achieve this by making a donation on #GivingTuesday! This year, Central National Bank and Farm Credit Associations of Kansas will match your gift, dollar-for-dollar!
Keep in mind, the best way to make your money go far is to give back to your local community whenever possible. While this is an exciting time to give back, be sure to vet the charities you give to this year. Check out these six tips from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to avoid scams!
What awesome groups did we leave out? Please include them with a link to their donation page in the comments!
